Ableza is organized to enrich our social and cultural heritages through arts education, performance and production, all with a strong base in literacy and empowerment for youth. This function enlightens and enhances Native American images as viewed by diverse cultures around the world, and educates the youth about their heritage and about the cultures of other peoples from this hemisphere.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of Ableza is to engage in educational arts activities
by, about and for the Native American community, including, but
not limited to:
1. Instructional activities in the dramatic and visual arts;
2. Youth education and intervention projects designed to promote
health, self esteem and cultural identity, as well as to provide
youth alternatives to gang and drug activities, and in vocational
areas;
3. Development, production and distribution of films, television
programs and audio/visual presentations;
4. Development, production and staging of theatrical and dance
performances;
5. Development and recording of music;
6. Development and promotion of other visual arts;
7. Any other activities which support the development, production
or promotion of arts, writing and creative activities by Native
Americans.
8. Youth literacy and development programs in all the performance
arts.
Ableza operates direct educational activities including in-service
workshops, teaching workshops, training seminars and retreats
in all the above mentioned arts disciplines, focusing especially
on youth. Cultural education and outreach programs to youth from
all ethnic backgrounds provide a diverse multi-cultural ground
base for enhancing awareness of the vast Native American cultures.
The activities of Ableza will foster an understanding and acceptance
of all Native American cultures and their ways. By not passing
value judgments, Ableza will promote a unification of Native peoples,
helping to heal the sacred hoop.
By focusing on youth, Ableza offers alternatives in careers and activities, helping to develop a positive self-image and foster academic and artistic development. This will provide pro-social alternatives, minimizing the appeal of gangs, drugs and other anti-social actions, promoting self esteem, and enhancing the health and well being of the youth. Ableza has targeted its educational outreach to youth in areas prone to such negative activities, ie: urban areas and Indian reservations where the chances for advancement are small. Youth education and intervention projects range from storytelling workshops to full-blown technical and performance classes in video, film, the dramatic arts and music, and will come together in our planned multi-disciplinary program, F.A.C.Y.T..
Ableza has developed its educational programs in keeping with
the California State Framework for Education and Arts in Education.
We are partnered with the Title IX Indian Education Programs in
Santa Clara County, CA in several of our programs. Studies of
Native American cultures are a mandate of many States' educational
framework guidelines, making Ableza a viable educational resource
center for the entire hemisphere.
Ableza targets mainly Native American themes, which has proven appeal to a wide culturally diverse audience. With the ability to reach a wide age range from Kindergarten to Elders, Ableza has proven skills in developing and presenting storytelling, musical performances and full original theatrical productions. Our new Virtual Cultural Center provides a digital performance venue for Native artists!
Outside the educational arena, traditional and contemporary
Native American themes are increasing in popularity and importance.
As young and old alike seek ties to their ethnic roots, and as
non-Indians seek answers to environmental questions and accurate
information about Native Americans, Ableza can help counteract
the erroneous images impressions and histories suffered by Native
American people over the last 500 years. Ableza will provide the
arena for Native Americans to reclaim and tell their stories in
ways which promote cultural truths and dignity through artistic
excellence.
Ableza is a California non-profit educational organization (501-c-3)
with ties to many American Indian health, education, performance
and production centers locally and around the country. We are
connected with many organizations and arts centers for indigenous
peoples around the world.
